The Carter Project ✓

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I DESERVED A gold medal for my unparalleled ability to avoid Carter Abrams, despite his intrinsic presence in my life and clearly recognizable impact on my livelihood. I had never really talked to him besides a "'sup" or a head nod in each other's directions on a day like garbage day where we were destined to run into each other when we took down our bags. I had set up a whole system with Landon in order to keep it that way, to ensure that we would never interact more than we had to, especially when his existence in my life was ruining my grades and sleep schedule.

I had managed to do this for so long, but tonight changed everything. Now I couldn't help but think about him. After all, I was in his house, so even if I didn't see him, I was seeing the things he interacted with daily. I could almost see the ghost of him sitting on the large, kitchen island in the mornings and watching the flatscreen television in his living room, and it added a layer to the boy next door I felt uncomfortable trying to fathom. Maybe leaving this place was the first step to clearing my mind and getting a fresh start on the night. But there was something that just seemed to be keeping me here.

That aforementioned 'here' was on Carter's balcony which was about two feet longer and wider than mine, not to mention situated on the east-facing side of our building, so he had a much better view overlooking the city than I did. It was lonely and peaceful out here, despite all of the chaos that was just a thin, glass sliding door away. Maybe that's how things between us always kept from escalating; a thin balance between us that was just enough to keep us from colliding.

It was comfortable out here, at least. The cool breeze of fall air blew through my hair and seemed to lift away all of the chaos that had been following around me throughout the night. For a second, it was just peaceful.

That is, until the door slid open and two other people barreled through, ferociously making out with each other and by the way they slammed up against the guardrail, I was scared that they would fling themselves over it.

Not that I stepped in to remind them of that possibility, no I was terribly uncomfortable, so I backed up against the far railing to be as inconspicuous as possible. I mean, I was sure they weren't expecting to not be seen by anyone since it was the middle of a pretty large party, but I also knew that they would instantly assume I was purposefully watching them make out like I was some kind of pervert.

Sadly, all I could do was turn around and try not to look at them as they went at each other until they decided to find a room where they could finish what they started. As mad as I was at Carter right now, there was a part of me that hoped to God they wouldn't choose his. At this point, maybe only Landon deserved that cruel fate.

The couple opened the sliding door and made their way inside, but someone else entirely stepped out after them. And with my luck, someone just happened to mean Carter.

His shirt was buttoned now — only in the middle section, so his bared body was cut into triangular halves that were slightly more modest — and it made a difference with how I viewed him, but not a huge one. He was still incredibly, unbelievably annoying, but he was just as handsome. And after the events of this night had dulled my steel reserve, I was all the more aware of it than ever.

There was a stiffness in the air that hung between us and every piece of me hoped he wouldn't say anything to me, to just leave me alone in the silence and let me get back to being the me who wasn't wrapped up in his world.